PTE Select Missing Words

Select Missing Words is one of the eight question types asked in the PTE Listening exam. 1-2 Select Missing Words questions may be asked on your PTE test and 1 mark is awarded for every correct answer. Note that there is no penalty for incorrect or no response to this question. 

The total time allowed for the PTE Listening section is 30-43 minutes in which the test takers have to attempt 8 different question types. One of these 8 different question types is the “Select Missing Words” question. Read this article to learn all about the PTE Listening Select Missing Words tips and tricks to score full marks in the PTE exam. 

What is PTE Listening “Select Missing Words” Task?

The “Select Missing Words” is one of the 8 different question types in the PTE Listening section. In this task, a recorded audio prompt of length 20-70 seconds is presented on the test taker’s screen. The prompt has some words omitted from it and at the end of the prompt (after listening to the recording carefully) test takers will be required to select the missing words from the list of possible options presented on the screen. Candidates have to draw cues from the prompt and note down the lines/context where they feel a word was omitted. 

Also, Read: PTE Syllabus

PTE Listening Select Missing Words Question Format

The format of this question is described in the table below.

Tips to Answer the Select Missing Words Questions

To perform this task, candidates will have to listen to the recording very attentively from the very beginning. Candidates must note that the missing word/group of words at the end of the recording are replaced by a beep sound.

To answer this question, candidates will have to select the best option that aligns with the context and completes the recording. 

Here are a few important tips that will help you attempt this question righteously:

1. The audio begins to play automatically and can be played only once. So, make sure you do not miss out on listening to the details. 
2. There may be a word/group of words missing from your PTE Select Missing Words question, but there is only one correct option out of the 4-5 options given. 
3. You can select/deselect an option by left-clicking on it. 

How is Select Missing Words PTE Question Scored?

Through this question in your PTE exam, your listening skills get assessed which means that the scores of this question will contribute only to the PTE listening section of your test. 

There may be 1 or 2 Select Missing Words questions asked on your PTE test and each of these carries 1 mark each. The scoring of this question is done on the basis of correct/incorrect attempts. However, no score score is deducted for giving an incorrect/no response to this question which means there is no penalty/negative marking for this question. 

By means of this question, your ability to guess/predict what the speaker is going to say based on your understanding of the context is judged.